Council targets safer parking at schools in 2015

29 January, 2015

Brisbane City Council will work with the city’s 300 schools to develop Traffic Management Plans and implement better parking enforcement to improve safety and relieve congestion, in a new strategy announced today.

Parking Taskforce Chairman and Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Council’s new parking strategy for schools was a direct outcome of the Parking Taskforce’s recommendations about managing and enforcing school traffic zones.

“Feedback from schools, parents, residents and P&C Queensland to the Parking Taskforce has been calling for better safety, as well as solutions to traffic congestion and enforcement of non-compliance in school drop-off zones,” Cr Schrinner said.

“In response, Council will work with schools to develop traffic management strategies tailored to the needs to each individual school, creating safer parking areas, implementing educational programs and conducting more parking enforcement.

“We’re also looking at how we can create standardised, clearer signage for school drop off zones.”

Cr Schrinner said that Council was rolling out eight high-visibility traffic enforcement vehicles, which would be used for parking enforcement at schools experiencing traffic congestion, to improve compliance and safety.

“At schools’ request, Council officers will be out in force, with a very noticeable presence to encourage motorists to drive and park safely. We want to make sure all motorists are doing the right thing, for the safety of school students.” he said.

“Council has experienced a 25 per cent increase in the number of complaints requesting action on parking enforcement, particularly in areas of high volumes of traffic such as school zones.”

Cr Schrinner stressed that the key to Council’s strategy was involving schools to proactively manage traffic and parking through a templated traffic management plan, which would be submitted to Council for review.

“The Traffic Management Plans will achieve a consistent approach to parking and traffic management at Brisbane schools, but importantly it will also give local communities the flexibility to address specific challenges,” Cr Schrinner said.

“The consensus from schools is that parking areas are not being respected and rules are not being enforced – a dangerous combination which is creating serious safety issues for students and other pedestrians.”

The schools that Council will be focusing on for safety and parking enforcement during Term 1, 2015 include:

• Wondall Heights State School
• Eagle Junction State School
• St Rita’s College Clayfield
• Somerville House
• Kenmore South State High School
• Forest Lake Primary
• Grand Avenue State School
• St John’s Anglican College
• Marshall Road State School
• Holland Park State School
• Loreto College
• Marist College
• St Columba’s Primary School
• Middle Park State
• McDowall Primary School
• Mansfield State High School
• Northside Christian College
• Good News Lutheran School
• Jamboree Heights State School
• Craigslea State School & State High School
• Kelvin Grove State College
• Seven Hills State School
• Wishart State School
• Macgregor State School & State High School
For more information about parking in Brisbane, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on (07) 3403 8888.